Bruce Plummer, Fort Myers, Florida man tries to steal plane only to crash on runway, tactical vest, assault style rifle along with magazines containing ammunition found nearby.
A Florida man is accused of breaking into the Page Field Airport and attempting to steal an airplane before crashing into a fence on Monday morning. But perhaps more puzzling and disturbing was the fact a tactical vest, an assault style rifle along with magazines containing ammunition being found at the scene…
Bruce Plummer, 43, of Fort Myers broke into the airport overnight, and was able to get into one plane, and after being unable to start it, he got into another according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Surveillance video captures the man exiting the plane around midnight and entering a second plane, a six seater, a Cessna 340, in which Plummer was able to get the left engine to turn on before crashing into a pole and fence shortly after.
A report states that at 5:30 a.m., two maintenance workers noticed the plane off the ramp and in the grass with a broken left wing where it hit a light pole.
A tactical vest with magazines containing ammunition and an assault-style rifle was also found at the scene near the perimeter fence by airport police.
When LCSO arrived at the scene, they saw the aircraft off of the runway. The single door to the plane was open, with no one inside.
Deputies were able to track down the suspect at a nearby Circle K after reviewing surveillance video.
Plummer’s parents say what he’s accused of doing early Monday morning, they believe, was driven by alcohol.
Deputies say Plummer bought three Fireball Malts 50ml and a beef stick at a nearby gas station before the incident according to NBC2.
‘I talked to Bruce the night that happened and the day before and he was telling me he wanted to go to jail,’ said Bruce Plummer, the suspect’s father. ‘He was drinking and he’s crying out for help.’
Blood and one empty fireball container were found inside the plane. Another was found outside the gate of the airport.
The gun found at the scene had a serial number, was reverse searched, and was found to be registered to Plummer.
A search warrant was issued for his home on Willard Street in Fort Myers, where he was arrested.
Deputies found a credit card, with the credit card’s numbers and expiration date matching that provided on the receipt from Circle K.
Several electronic items, surveillance cameras, ammunition, and a handgun were found in the home as well.
The plane’s owner states that had been at Page Field Airport for nine months for maintenance, and he did not give anyone permission to take it.
Plummer faces charges of burglary, unoccupied conveyance armed, grand theft over $100,000 and possession of a bulletproof vest while committing certain offenses.
Plummer’s parents were shocked by the news and confused as to why their son would be wearing a bulletproof vest.
‘I still don’t understand the vest and all the other things, but it is not him,’ Bruce and Janet Plummer said according to NBC2.
They explained his experience with planes.
‘He had a pilot’s license, he took lessons, but that was many years ago, he hadn’t flown in a long time,‘ Bruce said.
According to the FAA, Plummer had his student pilot license back in 2008. His parents say his actions are upsetting, and they want him to get help.
‘He is a good person and he’s not dangerous,’ said the parents. ‘This behavior is out of character for him, it’s all because the alcoholism has got ahold of him.’
Plummer’s previous arrests include charges for DUI and probation violations.
Plummer is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.
